Misuse of The Woman Is The Weaker Vessel - Impacting Righteously
“Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, AS UNTO the weaker vessel and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.” 1 Peter 3: 7. This is a verse that I have heard used against women and used out of context. Could it really be that this verse means that all around, women are weaker than men?
This post is dedicated to shedding light on another Bible topic that has been used in a way that paints the wrong picture of women. Consequently, this misunderstanding can cause some women to feel less than.
NO. In fact, it does not even say that. The command is for husbands to give honor to their wives, as unto the weaker vessel. They are to deal with her with honor and care, the way someone deals honorably and considerately with someone more delicate than they are. She is more delicate and has some different weaknesses and strengths than he does. He is to honor her and deal with her gently, as opposed to dealing with her harshly and taking advantage of her.
Temptation for, and the application of abuse against women has been prevalent throughout history.
Some people don’t acknowledge Bible context. Context is always key. It is no different when examining 1 Peter 3: 7. Men and women have characteristics that show men have strengths and weaknesses, and so do women.
There can be exceptions to these tendencies with both men and women, so I am not saying all men are this way or all women are that way. Rather, I am going to list a few facts that commonly apply specifically to men or specifically to women.
Some strengths women have:
• Due mainly to the way boys and girls are conditioned, women have a lot to deal with when it comes to dealing with men in relationships and in general. This burden results in tenacity.
• We see that women generally have more of a gentle, nurturing nature. Gentleness is not weakness.
• At the same time, many women have good leadership skills. Women are known to lay their lives down for others, including in war or as police officers too.
• Women give birth, which is probably the most painful and laborious thing that most women or anyone will go through in this life.
• Typically, many women have an easier time with humility and admitting wrong. Women are often open to receiving counseling and advice to correct problems.
• It seems to be more common for women to have a sincere yearning for Jesus Christ; a legitimate interest in bowing to God, and honoring Him as King.
Does the command to give honor to the wife, as unto the weaker vessel mean a woman is more sinful? Well, here are some facts.
Some weaknessses women have:
• Most commonly, women have a lot less physical strength than men do. This is by no means a sin, but is where women tend to be weaker.
• Some women function based off of feelings/emotions often, instead of logic and facts. This can be dangerous.
• Some women can be very weak-willed when it comes to men.
• Commonly, some women fantasize about love and men to the point where they prioritize men and relationships over God and endanger themselves and others. This is idolatry.
• Some women have a naivety and gullibility about them in general. This can be quite dangerous.
• Some women can be vindictive, gossips, snooty, envious of other women, etc.
Do women’s weaknesses and sinful tendencies indicate that they are more sinful than men?
Have you ever looked at general behavior of men and women throughout time?
• Who tends to be more violent, usually- men or women? Men.
• Who tends to be more prone to break the rules, while feeling entitled to do so? Men.
• Who has been taught to be prim, proper and nice, moreso? Girls/ women.
• To justify bad behavior, who do people say “boys will be boys” about? Boys.
• Who has been generally more lawless when it comes to cheating, murders, assaults of all types, robberies, scams, and just about anything unlawful that we can think of? Men.
Can we really conclude that give honor to the wife, as unto the weaker vessel means women are more sinful? No. As Romans 3: 23 says, all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
Are men really stronger? The answer is clear- it depends on in what regard we are referring to.
Some strengths men have:
• Men typically desire to provide.
• Men tend to have a protective and assertive nature.
• Men were created with a stronger physical build suitable for hard labor, and a mind hard enough to be able to cope with leadership, hunting and killing for food, fighting wars, etc.
• Often, men are able to think logically and stick to facts.
• Men typically have minds that can cope better with certain harsh circumstances.
• Plenty men have been willing to risk their lives for others, including laying their lives down in war, and as police officers, etc.
Some weaknesses men have :
• It is common for men to be more intolerant with physical and emotional pain; many men aren’t as forgiving about women cheating, and don’t seem to cope as well with heartbreak.
• Many men have extremely fragile egos.
• Some men are so worried about how they are perceived that they don’t admit fault and run from self-improvement or other issues that need to be addressed.
• Some men refuse to go to counseling or to address problems that need resolving, especially if reputation or self-image is in jeopardy.
• Some men struggle more with pride and self-control when it comes to rage, sex, violence, and general bad behavior.
• When it comes to worshipping God, it seems some men have a harder time submitting to and bowing to someone (God) greater than themselves. Some use religion to exert power over others.
These are only a few of the examples I have that show men have strengths in certain areas, and weaknesses in other areas. Women also have strengths in certain areas, and weaknesses in other areas. Some people have used “weaker vessel” to paint a picture of women being morally inferior to men. It is not true. I like how a couple of pastors addressed it:
• Adrian Rogers referred to denim and silk. He said, “Silk is weaker than denim, but silk is not inferior.”
• Pastor D James Kennedy compared the man and the woman to a pot and China; China is weaker than a steel pot, but China is not inferior.
I like those analogies, because they counter malicious insinuation. When examining the word of God and praying for understanding, we must keep the word of God in context. This means actually read and comprehend what it says. It did not say, “Women are the weaker vessel in all regards.” The command is to give honor unto her, as unto the weaker vessel.
I believe this verse is a command to husbands not to take advantage of their physical strength and their positional authority over their wife. God is watching how the husband treats His (God’s) daughter.
Husbands need to do a lot of praying, because they are the head of the wife, and the most responsible one. It is dangerous for a husband to deal with his wife in such a way that his prayers will be hindered.
After prayer and studying this scripture, I believe this verse is simply commanding men to honor their wives; dealing with them with honor, consideration, and gentleness, instead of harshly. Women are in a position with physical strength that does not match a man’s. Positionally, a godly wife is under her husband’s authority.
It would be easy to take advantage of her and deal harshly with her. Instead of taking advantage of this, Apostle Paul says the husband is to give honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel. He reminds that the husband and wife are heirs together of the grace of life, and the husband is to deal with his wife honorably in this way, so that his prayers will not be hindered.
